what happened to robert and his men on the way to Wystbrook? explain the Symbolisms in this scene?

One rainy night on the road between Wytsbrouk and Bailleul Robert’s horse suddenly stops and refuses to go further. He dismounts to investigate what the problem could be. He finds the body of an officer in the road. The officer is Clifford Purchas, dead. I suppose it might symbolize the death of compassion for animals as Purchas had accompanied Robert on horse rescue missions.